Apple Brown Betty, Then and Now

The following is a photo of an Apple Brown Betty I posted way back in the dark ages (around spring of 2008.) Apple Brown Betty is one of my favorite throw-together desserts, and I knew I wanted to include it in my next cookbook. But when I looked back at my original photos, I knew this was going to fall into the “Reshoot As Soon As Humanly Possible” category.

Hellooooo, lover. Not. I believe I took these photos with my macro lens, as evidenced by the excessive closeness and even more excessive bokeh. Too close, Ree! You can’t really tell what this is.

This is a photo of the same dessert, snapped earlier this summer when I was knocking out some re-cooks, re-shoots (and recipe tweaks) for the new cookbook. I stepped away (literally) from the macro lens…and the extreme closeup shots. Thank goodness.

Do any of you guys shoot food with a macro lens? I always found that it never was wide enough to capture a whole plate of food like I’d like…and the bokeh can be really wicked sometimes. This is wonderful when it comes to beautiful florals, etc…but food was always difficult for me with a macro.

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http://livefaithfully.blogspot.com Urban Wife

I second that motion – this would have been an amazing Monday morning breakfast. There’s always next week!

http://leavehappier.wordpress.com Amber

Oh, I love these before and afters – both humurous and inspiring! You see a lot of food photography on pure while dishes, but I really love the ones of yours that I’ve seen on the deep blue plates. Georgous!

http://cherylbarker.blogspot.com/ Cheryl Barker

I’ll second that order for apples and brown sugar! 🙂

ken

I enjoy learning about your photography experiences; my own photo journey becomes less painful. I too want apples, and suddenly want to watch Babette’s Feast all over again. Merci beaucoup!

http://beautyandbandaids.com Melissa

Thank you for sharing all of your photo tricks! I have been learning so much from your posts!

http://lifebythecreek.wordpress.com Pam D

I love the blue plate and the rich tones. I don’t shoot food much at all, but I think I need to take the same type of critical look at the types of photography that I do, and see if stepping back a little (or even stepping forward) will make it a better shot.

Missy

WOW! I’m with Urban Wife, but there’s always tomorrow morning!

D. Bolton

Personally, I’d rather eat the before shot – it just looks like
it’s on the way to my mouth!!

http://katiekdid.com katie @KatieDid

Lovely shot and I adore the bright blue dish. Did you use your 35mm on the after shot instead of the macro?

http://simplegirlathome.blogspot.com/ Simple Girl

OK, honestly, they both look good, but that sauce being poured….. And now I must go buy some blue dishes!

http://kirantarun.com/food Kiran @ KiranTarun.com

Holy yum! I love both comparisons that shows a lot of difference in macro and too much close up! Loved learning a lot from you, Ree 🙂

Lynn S

whatever creamy goodness is drizzling from that spoon deserves a space in my belly. right now. The second pic is awesome! It looks so delicious!! I feel inspired that someday my photos might be pretty too 🙂

http://www.chickenblog.com Natalie V2

Your photography has always impressed me, but I love these *then and now* reflections… showing how even a good photograph/er can get better. You do keep getting better, Ree. It’s inspiring.

Yum! That looks amazing. I absolutely love your photos and can’t wait to get the new cookbook to make more of your fabulous recipes!

Carla

I have a question. I love looking at your photos of food, etc. and have been wondering, are you the one pouring, stirring etc in these photos while snapping the camera or is someone else doing that for you or do you use a timer on your camera?

I love taking photos and would love to understand more about all these terms you refer to regarding the lens, etc. I’ve been looking to buy a new lens for my camera to take action shots of my son racing, but don’t know what to buy to take fast action night time shots without them being blurry.

Miss B

Actually, I prefer the before shot!

Moya Crava

Loverly. I like the second shot, much more interesting and colorful. I read the receipe, delicious looking, very simple and mouth watering.

White

I really, really can’t tell what the “after” photo is illustrating… bread pudding in the making?… white gravy (or M*racle Wh*p) on toasted croutons and pineapple tidbits?… Can’t really tell if that is a very small blue bowl, or very large platter, but in the original photo, the fork gives scale, and the shape of the apple slice describes more clearly what the subject is (not that I find that ‘before’ one photographically sophisticated!).

Juxtaposing an un-peeled apple would have been an obvious scale-and-subject indicator.

Overhead shots are successful in avoiding focus/aperture issues which I find distracting.

http://www.putdowntheurinalcake.com Beth at Five Kids Is A Lot Of Kids

Unfortunately, I couldn’t see the after photo. It wasn’t from lack of trying. It was due to the overwhelming image in my mind of shoving that blue plate aside and sticking my mouth directly under that glorious white sauce.

http://sunshinexpressions.blogspot.com Torrey

I love both shots actually. The second one more to get a better idea of what it actually is. But the first one is great in showing what a delicious bite would be like! I can’t wait to make this one day!!!

Mallory

I prefer the first shot also. The second looks like toasted bits of bread. I’m a big fan of Apple Brown Betty and the newer shot would not entice me.

http://successalongtheweigh.blogspot.com/ The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh

I’ll eat either one of them thank you! 🙂

Pam N.

I love the blue fiesta ware. It makes the food really pop!

Lisa C

Just wondering what lens you ended up using for the after shot, 35mm? Thanks. Also, I have the same question as someone previously, how do you take a picture of yourself pouring/stirring? Do you always have a helper in those situations?

http://cowpattysurprise.blogspot.com Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise)

Girl, once again ya have this Ozark Farm Chick droolin’ like some mad rabid dog here. It’s !:48 and I haven’t eaten since dark thirty this mornin’. Baby, ya sure know how to sick the proverbial fork in a hungry chick. Your Brown Betty looks heavenly!!! :o)

Now, I’ve got to go chow down on somethin’ before I start lickin’ the computer here!!!

From the hungry tummy rumblin’ hills and hollers of the Missouri Ponderosa, ya’ll have a blessed and beautifully full week!!!! :o)